The Opposition View: Leyton Orient

By Jim BonnerLast updated : 12 January 2017

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Let's talk about the reverse fixture briefly. What did you make of that game and did you think Orient deserved something from it?

It was Cavasin's first game in charge and to be honest, we didn't deserve anything from the game as we barely created any chances, although it was frustrating to lose it on a set piece. We did have only one natural central midfielder mind after we lost our best player Liam Kelly after five minutes.

Did Alberto Cavasin deserve to be sacked and what do you make of Andy Edwards' appointment?

Yes he deserved the sack, if anything for the 6-0 loss at Sheffield United alone. Communication was the problem it seemed. We kept conceding goals from set pieces and rarely looked like scoring. The players appeared extremely demotivated under him.

Andy Edwards was the obvious choice once Any Hessenthaler got sacked to look after the first team, he'd been at the club for seven years and was a director of our youth academy, which has been very, very successful and to be honest he should've been given longer in charge as caretaker in the first place.

But at the moment his style of football hasn't been great and he's come across as being demotivated himself because he cannot sign any players.

He'll probably take us down and get sacked, which will be extremely sad to see as he has worked wonders with our youth system. Some of the players that have been brought through have potential to do well.

How likely are your club to be relegated at the end of the season and have off-the-pitch matters improved since our last meeting?

We will 100% get relegated, our off-the-pitch situation has gotten worse with the owner Francescho Becchetti now having lost all interest has decided he won't put any more money in for the January transfer window because he wants to sell up.

You highlighted Jay Simpson as Orient's biggest strength last time but he has since left the club. What are your team's biggest strengths now?

Probably our right winger Gavin Massey who has a bit of pace and trickery and is able to run at defenders.

An inconsistent back four and predictable playing style were highlighted as your team's biggest weaknesses before the previous match. Are there any more to add to that prior to Saturday's match?

Our defenders cannot defend as individuals. The amount of shaky mistakes and miscommunications they make amongst each other is very evident to see.

We've also got zero confidence as a team and rarely look like scoring.

What kind of match can we expect this weekend and does Orient's good record at Fratton Park give you some hope that you will get a result?

We will probably put in a shambolic, light-hearted performance given that our club is currently on a massive downer - with the owner wanting out and refusing to help the plight by allowing a manager to add to the team. Confidence is at an all-time low.